Originally Posted by spouse of scouse (Post 11275172)

What makes Britain Great. I suppose I should wait until I'm living there permanently to comment, but I've had quite a few visits of up to 3 months a time, so I'll say what I loved about it. To be precise, about Liverpool because I was only a tourist in other parts :)

I love how people interact with their neighbours. They're not in each other's pockets all the time, but everyone on one street seems to know everyone else and there's always a 'good morning' or a bit of banter as you're walking by. That's not so common in Australia, the suburbs are still mostly fully detached houses, people seem to move frequently.

Public transport - love the buses. You're never far from a bus stop.

The climate! I realize that this is very much a personal preference, but I'm well and truly over the sweltering, burning summers here. Scouse's family think I'm mad when I say I prefer a cooler climate to the Oz sun, but I do. To my mind, it's far more pleasant to rug up and go out than be stuck indoors in the airconditioning to avoid the furnace outside.

The travel opportunities, both within the UK and further afield. That's important to me because we love to travel and have done the nearby Asian countries to death. We take lots of short trips here but you need to drive a long way if you're holidaying in WA. For example, we visit friends in Albany a lot, which is a 5 hour drive each way. A flight to Melbourne or Sydney is 4-5 hours and hellishly expensive. For what we pay for a week in Melbourne, we could probably have a 4 week B&B driving holiday around the UK or a 5 star, 2 week all inclusive holiday in any European capital.

History, old buildings etc. Europeans have only been in Oz for around 230 years. The history of indigenous Australians is of course far, far longer. But Aboriginal history, in the sense of seeing and touching, isn't very accessible to wajelas (white fellas). It's primarily an oral history, although there are of course some amazing artifacts and early rock paintings.

Whenever I'm travelling in the UK and see old buildings, preserved or ruins, I like to put my hands on them and imagine the lives of all the people who've lived there. Which makes me a pretty embarrassing travel companion ;) 3 of my grandparents were born in England and Scotland, that's where most of my family history is.

And - um - bacon and sausages :o

Originally Posted by spouse of scouse (Post 11275137)

Hi Sadie :) It sure is a huge move you're making, especially after 43 years in the US. Don't be shy about taking any help that's offered from friends! I hope a flat becomes available for you soon, and that your return home goes smoothly :starsmile:

Originally Posted by windsong (Post 11275311)

I am going back after 37 years in the USA. ;)

It sounds as if you have a senior flat lined up. How were you able to do that while living in the USA?

Originally Posted by spouse of scouse (Post 11275172)

What makes Britain Great. I suppose I should wait until I'm living there permanently to comment, but I've had quite a few visits of up to 3 months a time, so I'll say what I loved about it. To be precise, about Liverpool because I was only a tourist in other parts :)

I love how people interact with their neighbours. They're not in each other's pockets all the time, but everyone on one street seems to know everyone else and there's always a 'good morning' or a bit of banter as you're walking by. That's not so common in Australia, the suburbs are still mostly fully detached houses, people seem to move frequently.

Public transport - love the buses. You're never far from a bus stop.

The climate! I realize that this is very much a personal preference, but I'm well and truly over the sweltering, burning summers here. Scouse's family think I'm mad when I say I prefer a cooler climate to the Oz sun, but I do. To my mind, it's far more pleasant to rug up and go out than be stuck indoors in the airconditioning to avoid the furnace outside.

The travel opportunities, both within the UK and further afield. That's important to me because we love to travel and have done the nearby Asian countries to death. We take lots of short trips here but you need to drive a long way if you're holidaying in WA. For example, we visit friends in Albany a lot, which is a 5 hour drive each way. A flight to Melbourne or Sydney is 4-5 hours and hellishly expensive. For what we pay for a week in Melbourne, we could probably have a 4 week B&B driving holiday around the UK or a 5 star, 2 week all inclusive holiday in any European capital.

History, old buildings etc. Europeans have only been in Oz for around 230 years. The history of indigenous Australians is of course far, far longer. But Aboriginal history, in the sense of seeing and touching, isn't very accessible to wajelas (white fellas). It's primarily an oral history, although there are of course some amazing artifacts and early rock paintings.

Whenever I'm travelling in the UK and see old buildings, preserved or ruins, I like to put my hands on them and imagine the lives of all the people who've lived there. Which makes me a pretty embarrassing travel companion ;) 3 of my grandparents were born in England and Scotland, that's where most of my family history is.

And - um - bacon and sausages :o

Originally Posted by Sushipie (Post 11370572)

After reading so much it makes me want to come home so bad!
I miss
The pubs
The banter
The English humour
The tv
Family
Friends
Gorgeous towns and villages
Architecture
Countryside
M&s food
3 for a tenner wine in tesco
Friendliness
Theatre
snow days as the UK can't cope with snow is hilarious - I love it!
The weather gives me the excuse to wrap up on the couch and feel glad I'm not out.
The lake district
Beer gardens
Fireplaces...there's so much more

Originally Posted by bigglesworth (Post 11371124)

Yes to all but I think the days of the three for a tenner in Tesco are long gone :(

Originally Posted by Bud the Wiser (Post 11371830)

Britain's 20 friendliest places to live - Telegraph

Even if you disagree with the results, there are enough photos in the link to make many a folk yearn for the old country.

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 11371889)

Must have been written by a southerner - everyone knows the further north you get, the friendlier people are. ;)

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 11371889)

Must have been written by a southerner - everyone knows the further north you get, the friendlier people are. ;)

Originally Posted by Sushipie (Post 11370572)

After reading so much it makes me want to come home so bad!
I miss
The pubs
The banter
The English humour
The tv
Family
Friends
Gorgeous towns and villages
Architecture
Countryside
M&s food
3 for a tenner wine in tesco
Friendliness
Theatre
snow days as the UK can't cope with snow is hilarious - I love it!
The weather gives me the excuse to wrap up on the couch and feel glad I'm not out.
The lake district
Beer gardens
Fireplaces...there's so much more